Author's announcement:
Ok while I'm not done with chapter thirteen, and so I am sending this one ahead then normal it was mostly for this particular announcement. This fic will be moved to the Ichigo Soifon section of Bleach . I had talked it over with a few people who will remain anonymous (though you know who you are) and I did come to agree with them. So the story will be in this (cross-over) section until 2/21/11 as that should be plenty of time for people to hopefully see this message, and know where it will be located indefinitely.
That is all, for anyone reading this after 2/21/11 ignore this message and just continue reading the fic.
Thank-you
Blackout2010 out!
Chapter 7: Human world
Ichigo sighed as he sat down on the roof of one of the various buildings in Karakura town. It had been two weeks since he and Hanataro had gotten assigned duty here, with just a few more days left in their stint before they would return back to Soul Society. Ichigo was happy that as his superiors pointed out no big hollows ever showed up, but he was a bit shocked turned annoyed that a few people could see him or at least see his outline, hell even a cat could see him apparently.
Ichigo got up and stretched his muscles, today unlike yesterday Hanataro had to work at a nearby convenience store to help him adapt to human society while Ichigo observed from the next building over, which meant that Hanataro would be unable to be trained by him today.
"Man, no hollows for two days straight." He complained to no one, he would have drifted back to thoughts on Soifon but it would only depress his mood that he couldn't see her "This sucks, there's nothing to do around here that won't have people looking at me like some kind of weirdo with a giant sword."
'It's can't be helped Ichigo.' Said old man Zangetsu, knowing that not all things in life were fast paced edge of your seat action there were times where it was slow
'Yeah, I know, but still this shit sucks! We are a lean mean ass-kicking machine we should be on the front lines or something! ' Hichigo complained, completely bored that this was a 'kid zone' only and wouldn't get to see some grade A carnage
'Maybe tonight, you and I can have a one on one hand to hand match against each other. It's been a while.' Ichigo offered to the only real threat to him that he knew of at the moment
'Eh, why not.'
Ichigo suddenly killed the conversation when he sensed three spiritual pressures. He closed his eyes to visualize the energy signature types and came to the conclusion two were definitely hollow, but the third seemed like a whole but different.
Ichigo shrugged it off since his boredom was about to be broken since duty called and he was more than willing to answer "Hey Hanataro! It's me Ichigo I just picked up some foreign signatures and I'm moving out to investigate so be careful!" he said into the ear piece to inform his partner, who was watching over the store, the situation at hand
"Roger! Good Luck, Ichigo-san!" Hanataro replied from his end before fading out
Ichigo closed his eyes to spiritually scout out who was closer and moved to the nearby lone hollow signature to the east down near the riverside area. He flashed stepped from building to building before hitting the streets and started to jog in the direction. Now normally Ichigo would have continued to flash step but wanted to save his energy as he was only allowed 1/5 of his total power even though he was able to conceal half of his pressure.
When Ichigo asked both Zangetsu's why he would still have to have it even though he could control his own power better, they had said that his energy level had increased yet again making most of the previous work of second division null and void, much to Ichigo's vexation.
As Ichigo arrived at the riverside he saw the hollow looking over the water, it's head moving slowly from the left and right in seeming search of something that it may have lost sight of, when the hollow's face came close to seeing him, Ichigo quickly ducked behind a building when it looked over in his direction.
The hollow was a very big hollow, not huge like a menos grande but easily bigger than most humanoid hollows, which should be expected for this area which meant it wasn't small fry and could really mess him up if he wasn't careful. It seemed to look like a gorilla of sorts with long thick muscular arms and legs with humanoid like hands and feet. On one of the arms was a strange symbol that looked like it had been carved into the skin by a sharp rock. The hollow's mask itself had a frown on its face, with dark brown eyes and a pair of horns sticking from the top of it's head similar to a bulls.
After observing the hollow Ichigo knew while it might not be the wisest way to do things it was still the most honorable. So he jumped a few feet behind it, his sword at his side ready to engage the enemy. The monster turned around when it heard the clomping of sandals hit the paved sidewalk "Come on, hollow let's see what you got." Ichigo taunted ready to break his boredom at this new face
To his surprise the creature silently looked at him for a few seconds and then turned back towards the river ignoring him like it's life wasn't endanger at all, continuing to search to the length of the riverside for whatever it was looking for prior to Ichigo's arrival.
'What the hell? This…isn't normal.' thought Ichigo as he always knew from experience that hollows preferred to eat any soul that came moderately close to them sometimes even actively searching out souls, yet this guy or creature was just ignoring him for something else, a habit he had never witnessed before. "Hey what's your problem, why aren't you fighting me!" The strawberry blond asked, seemingly more like the bad guy with each second that passed in this…encounter?
The horned gorilla creature stopped looking over the scene and once again turned back again to the Shinigami and spoke in a low voice "Because you aren't screamer." It stated simply, as if the answer couldn't get any easier than that.
"Who's Screamer?" he asked curiously wanting to continue the conversation with the some-what contradictoral yet docile creature "And how the hell can hollows talk?" his curiosity burning at this question since he assumed that Hollows uttered out battle cries or snarls only, not coherent and reasonable words.
"Screamer is a hollow, who've I've been chasing for years, Shinigami-san. As for being able to talk, I don't know I always could, just thought it was normal." The gorilla clarified, before getting up to it's full height of about 10 feet and raising it's fists in a battle ready stance "But I suppose that doesn't matter now, since you a Shinigami have come to kill me a hollow."
Ichigo scowled in contemplation as he wasn't sure what to do with this hollow. Aside from other hollows this one could speak and understand, so he knew it must be pretty smart which could mean trouble for him, if it knew that Shinigami aren't supposed to endanger other souls and it tried to use that against him, but he also had a duty to do even though the hollow really didn't want to fight when he taunted it earlier something that most others would jump to correct.
"Who are you exactly?" said Ichigo, trying to figure out this person's identity since they could have been keep a Shinigami who had gotten eaten, while he also things civil and find out any other information he could before things could possibly get rough between them
"You Shinigami have bestowed upon me the name 'Giant Devil', but as to a name like yours Shinigami-san I do not know. It's lost to me, but at the same time it feels so close to me as if just needed a push in remembering it." Informed the now named Giant Devil, who still had his arms at the ready to strike the orange haired Shinigami should a battle ensue
"Why exactly have you been chasing this screamer fellow?"
"I have no need to tell you stranger, but if you truly need an answer then this will have to suffice: I just feel he needs to die."
The Shinigami sighed seeing how this wasn't getting him anywhere he was about to move in to destroy the creature with Zangetsu hoping to give it a mercy killing when it spoke up talking more to himself than Ichigo "He was here. Just a moment ago, but he's gone now…at last I've finally caught up to him."
Ichigo released his grip on Zangetsu "Are you talking about screamer?" the hollow nodded but spoke up "As I said he killed his scent for now. But he'll resurface soon. I know his tactics and way of thinking."
The creature turned it's attention fully to Ichigo "Tell me do you want me dead, Shinigami-san?" it asked, the tone solemn almost sad, as if it regretted something it had done
"Personally, no." he admitted in all honesty, since he didn't like needless killing unlike Hichigo who would get caught up in violence "You don't seem like such a bad guy, but I have my duty to perform, which is to defeat hollows and save wholes." He closed his eyes deliberating his next words since they were borderline treason "So I've decided to help you." He finished wanting to give some measure of peace to the peaceful being
"What?" the creature asked, not fully trusting the Shinigami since they were the mortal enemies of hollows, at least that's what he was always told and later believed with his numerous encounters in the human world
"I said I'll help you find this Screamer hollow and help you kill him." He said in utter seriousness letting Giant Devil see his scowl to show he meant business "He seems to be the reason you're a hollow now, so if I kill him, perhaps you'll let me absolve you without a fight so you can leave in peace."
"I don't trust you." The huge hollow replied back in a low voice "The last time I foolishly trusted a Shinigami; they attempted to kill me from behind when my guard was lowered all because they were weaker than me, when I had done no wrong."
Ichigo tsked in disgust, while it may have been hypocritical since he was technically an assassin now, he wouldn't ever try and befriend someone to lower their guard before stabbing them in the back. His thoughts drifted to Soifon and knew that was one of her greatest fears of being used and tossed aside. Ichigo spat on the ground in anger, that was the coward's way of survival, not Ichigo's.
"Tell you what." He said solemnly, causing Giant Devil to perk it's head down to stare into his face "If I betray you, then I'll let you kill me once you get to Soul Society or better yet let everyone in Soul Society know my cowardice and forever ruin my name. How does that sound?" extending his hand out so they could shake on it
Giant Devil mulled his words over since the other two Shinigami didn't dare make an offer like that, and the gorilla assumed that the rather strange Shinigami and himself were about even in power right now, so even if he did betray he could possibly stop and kill him. So moving it's large hand forward it touched the hand of Ichigo's "Deal." It said in a firm voice, signifying his trust
"Alright, since apparently Screamer is no longer here, we'll have to wait until he shows up again." He said laying the foundation of a basic plan of action, to which the hollow nodded it's head. Ichigo turned on the ear piece to speak to Hanataro again "Hey, Taro it's me again. I'm on my way back to the meeting ground and I've ahh got a 'friend'," getting a curious glance from said 'friend' "so expect two."
"Right, understood Ichigo-san, I just got off my shift so I'll meet you on the roof"
"Copy that, Ichigo out."
Ichigo turned back to Giant Devil "Well let's go."
So the pair took off thought at a much slower speed since, Giant Devil couldn't use Flash step and jumping quickly from one building to another might cause some structural damage due to the sudden increase in weight. After half an hour of travelling via roof hopping they arrived at the quick mart's roof, the meeting grounds half-way between where Hanataro worked and the inner city of Karakura.
"Now where is he?" said Ichigo using his hand as a shield from the sun as he looked off the building's edge trying to spot his friend amongst the crowds of people, while the giant creature stood off to the side waiting to see this 'Taro' that Ichigo guy had spoken to
A blur of black and blue suddenly collided into Ichigo's side knocking him over as Hanataro rolled off him and over to where Giant Devil was. "Ow, ow ow! I knew I should have just jumped instead of flash stepped off the roof like that." The bumbling boy said rubbing the back of his head as he lay on his stomach
The downed Hanataro slowly got up on his feet and began to dust himself off and check himself for injuries that may have occurred from the stumble against the hard roof top floor. Smiling when he saw none he raised his head and found himself staring right into the frowning masked face of Giant Devil. Slowly Hanataro started to back away cautiously, his hand tapping the ear piece rapidly "Ichigo, Ichigo ICHIGO! T-th-there's a huge hollow h-here w-with m-me, and and and…" his eyes watering in fear as he saw the sheer size difference between him and it "IT LOOKS HUNGRY!" he exclaimed fear sending his mind into overdrive even though Ichigo was clearly a few feet behind him.
While Hanataro was having a nuclear mental meltdown, Ichigo calmly got up and dusted himself off before whacking Hanataro in the back of the head with his fist "Calm down Taro! It's fine and what have I told you about flash stepping into people and not saying sorry!" he reprimanded the seventh seat for seemingly the thousandth time on that subject
"You-you said not to do that." said the timid boy as he clutched his wound on his head with one hand while grabbing some band aids with the other, silently hoping it wouldn't leave a mark.
Ichigo sighed "Right, now this is-"
"A hollow that wants to eat us!"
BAM! "No his name, I mean I'm assuming it's a guy, is Giant Devil." A tick mark still remaining on the wielder of Zangetsu's head as he introduced the fierce-looking hollow who gave a nod to his timid friend of the fourth "He's on a mission to kill another hollow who goes by the name Screamer."
The recovering Hanataro who now had two band aids in an X mark on his head, one for each lump, asked a question that bothered him "You said Screamer, Giant Devil-san?" his politeness remaining apparently even in the face of a hollow he thought was going to digest him mere moments ago
"Yes, tell me small Shinigami named Hanataro-san have you heard of him? Have you heard of Screamer?" the hollow confirmed, while praying that they hadn't lest Ichigo go back on their offer to help in his current life's mission.
The medic frowned considerably "Yeah, apparently he supposed to be a very nasty soul. That's either killed or hurt a lot of people, I've only heard the absolute worse about that hollow like a rumor how he keeps a soul close to him to lure Soul reapers in when they try and Konso it."
"I'm starting to hate this screamer guy more and more." Ichigo commented bitterly, while Hichigo screamed for blood for the bastards ruining of a good hollows name, since it was supposed to be earned through unrelenting slaughter NOT in cat and mouse hide and seek tactics that the chump was pulling.
A loud ringing noise was heard, the source of the sound was Hanataro's soul pager going off. He flipped it open as he placed it against his ear, and nodded his head a few times giving occasional 'mhmms' and 'right' before putting it away with huge sigh. "Ahh, Ichigo-san." He started as he scratched the back of his head trying to words things nicely
"Yeah, Taro." Not liking at all where this was going, as Hanataro seemed really nervous after the call he received
"We've got to report to Taicho using the monitor, and we have to bring our friend along." He said defeatedly
Ichigo and Hanataro both turned as white as Giant Devil's mask at having to imagine how Soifon would react to such a turn of events since it was borderline treason. Ichigo was about to ask Hanataro how they could have found out so quickly or otherwise known but stopped when a mental image of a smiling Subaru appeared in his head, which was accompanied by a loud groan having remembered her stupid spy network.
They both reluctantly went to the shed at the school grounds, and entered in the password unlocking the monitor room they were sanctioned to use on the training mission, Giant Devil also managed to fit into the room as well since it was much bigger than most storage sheds and the creature hunched over so it was barely over seven feet.
The big screen monitor flickered to life and the image of Ichigo's unhappy Taicho sat at her desk, with Shinjiro in the background maintaining the connection stability, was revealed to them. Ichigo's eyes wandered down to her desk and saw next to her name plate was the rose he gave her on their date. He smiled gently at the memory, but pushed it aside as Shinjiro said that connection was completely good to go.
"Ichigo Kurosaki, fourth seat of Squad two is reporting in." the orange haired boy raised two fingers against his head
"Hanataro Yamada, seventh seat of squad four is also reporting in." the navy haired boy saluted to his superiors
"Acknowledged." The captain said in her usual cold tone which was still reserved for business hours with the two "Now, I'm not going to mince words with you both, I'll be frank. Why is that hollow behind you still alive?" she asked leaning back into her chair with her finger thrusting out to the immediate enemy she saw
"This hollow is called Giant Devil, and the reason we haven't killed him is because he doesn't seem to be a threat, and only show hostility to one individual named screamer." said Ichigo reporting in his finding thus far and hopefully work his way to her good side.
"Be that as it may you must remember that once a hollow has fulfilled its initial purpose it will turn its attention outwards unto others." She explained since it was basic Shinigami 101 information
"I do agree that you are correct Soifon-Taicho, but this hollow is different than others I've encountered in my brief time in the human world and Soul Society."
Soifon's expression changed to one of concern as she leaned forward against her desk "Different how exactly?" her mind racing through possible new abilities that hollows had now come to possess or something equally unfavorable like a way to reproduce
"Well I'll let him show you." Ichigo replied turning back to face Giant Devil as did the captain and third seat, who looked on expectantly with their fingers crossed
"Greetings, I am Giant Devil, Soifon-san and other Shinigami-san." He introduced politely, giving a small nod of his head
"A talking hollow? In Karakura?" the woman questioned in a whispered breath. Her fear for the pair's safety rising since only very strong hollows could actually speak and talk in a coherent language unlike the roars and shrieks from Mantis or Frog heads and other lower ranked hollows. "This is a startling discovery, and judging from the size of this one he obviously knows a thing or two about battle."
Shinjiro spoke up getting the attention of everyone "You said that Giant Devil was it?" The hollow nodded "Was looking for Screamer right? So why not have him help."
"Explain third seat Taiga." asked the small captain, looking back to the third seat
"Certainly. I've personally heard a few stories about this screamer fellow and their all downright nasty from what the survivors have told me. Maybe having a hollow with them will give them the edge they need to take it down as I was told it could speak too."
The captain returned her gaze back to the monitor, before looking back down at her desk. Her stormy grey eyes peeked at the flower she had received almost two and a half weeks ago. She swallowed the lump in her throat as she allowed herself to believe in Ichigo "Alright, you have my express permission to use whatever means necessary to destroy Screamer, but afterwards I want something done about Giant Devil. For the sake of Soul Society, we can't allow strong hollows to roam unchecked and before you protest against this it's either a quick end for him or experimentation by Kurotsuchi-Taicho later. So I'm voting mercy killing."
"That is acceptable. So long as Screamer is gone I can rest easy." The hollow agreed, finally getting his chance at the obliteration of his mortal enemy
"Alright, Kurosaki signing out oh and by the way Taicho."
"Yes." She said as the transmission began to fade to static
"It's nice to see you kept the flower."
Soifon blushed at his words and was about to respond when the connection was severed, meaning that she wouldn't be able to give a reply for another day since it took that long for the connection energy to recharge.
"It seems he missed you." Shinjiro commented casually from the corner of the room, a smug look on his face since he understood what he was implying
"Shut up." She coldly replied even though she was smiling outwardly, after seeing Ichigo again for the first time in a long time she was feeling much more motivated to go back and work the troops harder than ever, particularly Omeada since he occasionally made suggestions of the captain doing her hair in a ponytail instead of the two rings and twin bands, which sickened her to no end and made the oaf pay for the installation of heated floors in the squad two barracks and a quick thrashing to get him to leave the subject alone, since she had only shown that to one person and one person only and he was busy training to be her Fuka-Taicho…and maybe more.
As Soifon got up from her desk to leave, Subaru came bursting through the door like a bat out of hell, almost hitting her sister who thanks to her honed reflexes and instincts jumped back at the last second to avoid the swinging door. The arriving woman's hair was disheveled and she was completely out of breath, most likely from running great distances quickly, since it was well known her endurance and swiftness to the other two. Her hand was firmly holding unto her sister's Haori for balance, but her teary eyes were something that frightened Soifon and Shinjiro who now saw the new occupant.
"S-Shaolin!" she choked out, panting from a serious depletion of oxygen "You need to see this immediately! I ran all the way from District 61 of North Rukongai to District 24 of South Rukongai and personally confirm this incident!" Her voice filled with grief and anguish, as her fidgeting hand placed the report into her sister's hand.
Shinjiro quickly shot up from his seat and went over to comfort his distressed wife moving her to a nearby chair to hear what was wrong, as Shaolin still standing in front of the entranceway began to read it over wondering what could have put Subaru in such a state of panic. Soifon's eyes darted from the left to the right, absorbing each and every word that was put on the thin sheet of paper. She kept going fear and sadness welling up in her, once she got to the end, she read it again checking for any and all possible error but when she couldn't see any, her arm fell limply to the side no longer holding the strength to support the sheet of paper which fell silently down to the ground.
"Oh my god…no…" she whispered silently as a cold lone tear fell from her eye against the warmed wooden floor, knowing it was entirely her fault
(Human world)
"Alright guys, we're gonna crash tonight on the roof just in case Screamer decides to make a move again, in the mean time let's go to the field and get's some practice in Hanataro, we're gonna need it." Ichigo commanded, eager to get some last minute training in before the battle against screamer
Giant Devil cocked his head "What should I do?"
Ichigo turned back towards the gorilla being "You're coming with us too, that way if we happen to lose sight of him you can pick up on his scent and lead us to him. Besides I've never actually trained with another hollow. It could be fun."
Giant Devil eye's lowered as he was thinking about the man's words. He was about to ask what he meant by 'another hollow' but lost the chance when Ichigo flash stepped ahead to the baseball field, on the other side of the grounds, leaving the mix-match pair to catch up.
(School Ground: Field)
Ichigo stood on the pitcher's mound when Hanataro and Giant Devil showed up from the other side of the clearing.
"Alright, I've decided that Hanataro and I will fight against you first Giant Devil." He declared as he turned around to the sparring partners
"Two against one isn't fair you know." The hollow chimed in. Since everyone knew that two against one wasn't fair.
"You're right Giant Devil, however in this match I won't be using my Zanpaktou as I don't want to hurt you too badly or anything."
"So you'll just be using Hakudo, Ichigo-san?" asked Hanataro, feeling more confident that they could win against the hollow even though Ichigo wasn't using his Zanpaktou, his specialty.
Ichigo nodded his head "Yeah, and maybe a little Kido magic just in case." He turned his attention back to Giant Devil "In any case we'll start when I say go got it?" showing that he wasn't going to try and ambush him, like the Shinigami before him
The other two nodded and broke away from each other, Hanataro moving to stand a few feet away from Ichigo so he wouldn't hit him with his Zanpaktou, not that it would be a problem for Ichigo since he was trained by some of the fastest individuals in all or Soul Society, while Giant Devil took two massive steps backwards.
"Ready?" he asked staring into the eyes of his companion and opponents, and when they nodded their head, his face returned to it's normal scowl "Begin!"
"Fill, Hisagomaru!" Hanataro pepped up, thrusting his sword to the sky, the blade getting a couple of inches longer and a small black gauge appearing on its side
Ichigo jumped forward between Hanataro and Giant Devil, since he was more of a front line fighter unlike his friend who was better at distance fighting and was also a better healer than himself.
'Hmph. He's protecting his ally the weaker of the two.' the horned gorilla thought after seeing Ichigo's protective nature. He inwardly smiled at the gesture before he charged forward to attack the bare handed specialist.
Ichigo seeing the creature charge at him focused his eyes on the movements of Giant Devil's body and using what Soifon and the second division taught him followed the flow of reiatsu to where it would go when it attacked. He ducked underneath the massive arm and rolled over to the left determined to draw it's attention away from Hanataro, who was putting his blade back in it's sheathe it's purpose served, in raising Hanataro's power output.
The huge hollow lunged at Ichigo, throwing his massive right fist towards Ichigo's chest. Ichigo crossed his arms in an X and absorbed the shock from the blow and maintained his composure even though he was sent screeching back several from the sheer force behind the blow
'Damn that hurt! I better evade than take!' Shaking his arms to regain some feeling in them, silently noting the power behind the creature was real and not just size appearance
Ichigo gritted his teeth and charged forward at the monster, ducking quickly under the guard of the creature and he delivered a few lightning quick blows to the creatures abdomen, in the hopes to bring it to it's knees. Ichigo frowned when his attack seemed to have no visible effect on the creature 'What is this guy?'
Giant Devil attempted to grab Ichigo, but a fireball launched from the forgotten Hanataro, launched his hand back and away, getting a low rumbling noise from the creatures throat from it's thwarted attempts to damage the martial artist. Ichigo seeing an opening to attack most hollows weak point then jumped from the gorilla's other arm and kicked himself off it while he smacked his left foot right into the side of the gorilla's mask.
The kick spun the creature around and a few feet back, but didn't so much as make it fall over only stagger it. In fact the hollow only seemed a bit more annoyed. It looked to the left and saw the perfect weapon for this job. Throwing his arm to the object and putting a little of his massive strength to use, he ripped out a tree from it's roots and gave it a test swing, eager to use his newfound club.
"WWWHHHATT!" yelled Hanataro in horrified disbelief that it knew how to fight with a weapon. It was bad enough the creature was already stronger than him but now it had a giant club too! He did not want to play 'whack-a-taro', since he would be the taro.
"Calm down Hanataro! Just remember your foot work and stay aware of your surroundings and you'll be safe!" Ichigo encouraged even though he really didn't like the predicament they were in, but such was the way of true battle, unexpected situations always occurred.
Ichigo's words carried over to the frightened seventh seat and quickly sank into his brain 'Right. Ichigo's here.' Hanataro reminded himself, calming down significantly knowing he wasn't alone in this situation 'Just take it easy, and remember the training Shinjiro-san and Subaru-san taught you.'
Seeing Hanataro put some more determination on his face and give a firm nod, Ichigo turned back to face the enemy. "Good now let's take the fight to him."
Giant Devil, while impressed that the pair still persisted in the spar even though he was now armed and dangerous, ran forward and swung the tree at Ichigo, as he knew swinging it at Hanataro might kill him.
Ichigo ran to meet the blow and flipped over the all natural weapon. He landed on the shoulders and sent an elbow strike to the creatures head, causing it to stagger from the rather powerful blow. Ichigo proceed to jump behind the wall of muscle seeking to do more damage, sending blows to spine and legs making the creature drop down on his knees. Ichigo smirked seeing how things were starting to turn around in the Shinigami team's favor
However when he glanced away to see Hanataro preparing another spell, he got captured by the Giant's hand. The orange haired Shinigami struggled to break the vice-grip Giant Devil had but to no avail. It only got tighter, forcing Ichigo to close his eyes to stop from screaming out from the force being exerted on his body.
"URRRAAAHHH!" the creature yelled out a battle cry as it slammed the hand carrying Ichigo into the ground with ferocious intensity, sending spider web cracks through the barren dirt field. The creature wasn't done there though as it once again raised the hand before smashing Ichigo into the ground, creating more rubble and furthering the hole in the ground, before jumping as high into the air as the hollow could and slamming Ichigo back down so hard some of the cars from the nearby street actually vibrated violently making a few car alarms go off.
Hanataro had stopped midway through his kido chant, his once determined face reduced to fear. He was frightened for his friend even if he was worlds stronger than himself. He grabbed Hisagomaru out with his right since his left contained the unfinished spell.
He ran over as fast as he could to save Ichigo's life as Giant Devil threw Ichigo up in the air determined to knock him away like a baseball player into the evening sky.
Ichigo narrowed his eyes as he dangled in the air, too hurt and tired to flash step away to avoid the strike, since he was only at 1/5 ability 'No choice, a little help!'
As the tree came towards him, Hanataro launched his spell at the branches hoping to destroy them and allow Ichigo to fall back to the ground safely. A huge explosion occurred when the tree, spell and Ichigo were dangerously close to impacting on each other, forcing Hanataro and Giant Devil to cover their eyes from the cloud of smoke released. When it cleared the pair checked to see where Ichigo was.
'I guess I overdid it…so stupid' the hollow berated himself for losing himself in the heat of battle, it was so unlike him. It was the old him.
'Ichigo-san…'
An orange and black blur, appeared in front of Giant Devil for just a moment breaking it from its line of thought, before the creature felt a powerful blow strike it's stomach, causing it to kneel down in pain. The giant's body lurched over the form of what he presumed was Ichigo, since he saw the orange hair even if he couldn't see his face. Before Giant Devil could straighten itself up he was launched upward by an incredible uppercut to his face.
Hanataro couldn't even keep up with what he was seeing. One moment the creature was standing next, it's body was sky high, with apparently Ichigo. Hanataro wasn't sure though, he saw only his back with what was left of his clothes and his orange hair but his power seemed different. It felt…dark…evil
'What's going on?' he thought but it went away like the wind when he saw Ichigo ax kick Giant Devil back down to the earth.
BOOM!
Hanataro was in awe of his hero who landed in front of the giant crater he made on the pitcher's mound, his back still turned. "I-ichigo?" he called out, hoping his friend was ok both mentally and physically, even if the terror he was currently feeling was commanding him to run away from this god-like being.
The tattered Shinigami slowly looked back "Yeah, Taro?" he said, a half-expectant look on his face, almost like nothing was even wrong in the universe. "What is it?"
"UURRGGGHHHH…" the voice from the crater groaned out. Ichigo looked back into the hole he made "Hey, Hanataro get a move on it he needs some help!"
"R-right Ichigo-san!" the medic acknowledged running into the crater and using Hisagomaru to heal the hollow. In the middle of healing, Hanataro glanced back at Ichigo who was looking away nonchalantly, and his eyes widened in further awe. 'Not a single wound. All the wounds he must have just gotten are gone!' His wonder and impressive respect for the man growing even more. 'Ichigo-san who are you?'
After healing only Giant Devil, as Ichigo said he was fine. The new found team of three, returned to the roof top of the quick mart, eager to get some well deserved rest and anticipating the battle against screamer.
(Next day)
The team woke up bright and early, since they wanted to be ready to chase after Screamer at a moment's notice, but Hanataro's job in the human world called him away, an hour or so after they started to search forcing Ichigo and Giant Devil to put the search on hold, as they didn't want to take any chances.
Right now, Ichigo was sitting in a meditative position doing some mental exercises and visualization exercises with both Zangetsus in the center of the roof head quarters, while Giant Devil was keeping a nose out trying to pick up the scent of his prey.
Ichigo opened his eyes when the door leading towards them started stirring, and Hanataro walked by, outside of his Gigai. "Alright my shift is finally done, so I don't have to worry about being called in anymore!"
"Good not a moment too soon, I just found him, Kurosaki-san, Yamada-san." The gorilla-like creature reported his head darting back to the river area he had been at the previous day.
Ichigo got up and pulled out Zangetsu "Right, let's go."
The three started to leap from one building to another, as quickly as possible while hiding their spiritual pressure in fear that Screamer would pick them up and flee. Unbeknownst to the Shinigami, Hanataro's soul pager that he had forgotten in his Gigai's pocket started blaring off, with a message marker urgent.
(Riverside)
"P-please…leave me alone. S-stay away" the young whole replied to his pursuer
The whole was a young looking boy with curly dark brown hair. He looked no older than eight years old.
The hollow laughed "Haha! That's rich leave you alone, but you do your job so well Yuuichi-chan!" his tone laced with cruel sarcasm "You bring so many yummy souls for me and you give me the thrill of the chase! It's killing two bird with one soul. HA!"
The hollow, looked like a mix between a gargoyle and a pterodactyl. It's skin was a dark purple, had clawed talon like feet that enjoyed to grip his prey with. His arms had pterodactyl like wings that stretched about 8 feet across, his hollow hole rested in the center of his chest right below his square shaped mask.
"Y-you said that y-you'd take me to my mom. IF If I agreed to run away and attract the people in black." He gulped "I-I did what you said, n-now d-d-do your end!"
"Oh I did?" he said in mock confusion, pretending that he hadn't made that promise to the boy "Oh that right I DID say that." It's mask changing to a feral grin, while it's yellow eyes narrowed to small circles "Well, I guess I better hold up my end"
The boy's face lit up, and the cruel hollow sneered wickedly at the naivety of this kid for trusting a hollow "I'll eat you too, so you can see her on the inside of my stomach!"
The hollow reached out to grab the frightened child when it was shoved to the side by Giant Devil. Screamer immediately took to the air, and narrowed it's eyes on the hollow interrupting it's meal "Hey, buddy. I don't know what your problem is but-"
Screamer stopped it's rant and cocked it's head to the side seeing the giant horned gorilla like creature. Realization dawning him "Aww, it's you!" he said cruelly affectionate, while he landed on the top of a small tree tree. "How you been G.D? Still mad that I tried to eat your grandfather back in Hueco?"
"Very, but I'm not here to kill you just for that anymore." He took a menacing step forward "I'm here to kill you for that poor soul you've been torturing for so long now"
"Hahahah! That's funny, a hollow protecting his meal! Wow, your grandfather really broke your sorry ass down! What happened to the killer I used to know!"
"He's right here waiting to kill you."
Screamer silently cursed his luck. It's not that he wasn't strong far from it, he was probably one of the best, but G.D was even stronger than himself. He decided to hightail it for now but not before picking up his take-out. When Screamer looked over to where Yuuichi was supposed to be, he didn't see anything. "Fuck, the kid got away." He mumbled under his breathe
"That's right." A voice answered.
Screamer looked to the street and saw an orange haired Shinigami leaning casually against a lamp post, with his arms crossed and an unpleasant look on his face. "Hanataro got him out of there while you two were busy reminiscing."
Screamer panicked at being caught between a rock and a hard place. He sought to employ one last desperate gambit "My, fellow hollow, look it's a Shinigami."
"Yes, I clearly see him" Giant devil said flatly, as he sank into a battle stance
"He's here to kill us both, and if what he said is true than there is another around here somewhere. We should kill THEM not each other, as they are the enemy!" The flying hollow tried desperately to convince his stronger land based counterpart. 'In the chaos I can kill both of them'
He would be sadly mistaken "That Shinigami is here to assist me in taking you down, Screamer." Giant Devil informed to the winged terror
"What!" his eyes widening at his plan falling to pieces. "You would ally yourself with 'him' against a fellow hollow! You bring shame to your grandfather and the killer, I called friend!"
A slash mark appeared on Screamers arm as he was kicked down to earth by Ichigo "God, you talk too much. I don't even know you and I want kill you already."
The winged hollow looked up past his shoulder, after colliding into the ground "You'll pay!"
Giant Devil swung his fist forward hitting the side of Screamer as it tried to take off again, it's talon lashing out against the gorillas stomach. Screamer turned his attention to the immediate threat taking his eyes off Ichigo who started to slash at his other clawed foot.
Screamer finally having enough jumped back and sent a blast of wind at the two, slowing them down enough for it to launch his exploding familiars at the strange team.
"What the hell! That's disgusting!" Ichigo revolted, seeing the winged being practically throw up some toad creatures at him
"Ichigo, move!" G.D commanded, knowing the fatal trick those toads possessed
"Too late!" the avian sneered launching an ultrasonic sonic screech that caused the toads surrounding the Shinigami to explode violently.
When the smoke cleared Ichigo was still ok, though some of his robes were blown off and he had a few scorch marks on his arms and shoulders.
'Alright, now I'm mad!'
Ichigo quickly rushed forward swiping at the winged foe who nimbly dodged it by swooping around it. At the same time Giant Devil removed a light post and threw it at the avian slamming into it and knocking it back down to the ground.
'Arghh. I'm gonna die at this rate, I suppose a quick retreat is in order.' The hollow schemed, and it suddenly called forth a small rift for it to escape.
The other two seeing the rift a few yards away immediately rushed to it, when Screamer was about to enter, Ichigo yelled for Giant Devil to throw him full force at him. The complying hollow hurled the sword fighter as hard as it could literally like it's soul depended on it.
It worked, as Ichigo was sent jetting towards the creature his Zangetsu sword cleaved the creatures head from atop it's shoulders. Purifying the hollow's body but not it's soul, and from the decayed remains dropped a man bound in chains.
Ichigo landed expertly and turned an emotionless gaze back at the struggling form of the once might screamer. He walked over and eyed the despicable person in contempt.
"P-please…mercy!" the bound soul begged, the Shinigami in front of him
Ichigo seemingly smiled at the man, before tapping him with the butt of his hilt. A slow rumbling sound occurred behind the soul, and when he gazed back nearly expecting the gates of heaven, he was horrified to see two giant doors with skeletal designs on it. When Screamer turned back to the smiling Shinigami, his once happy face was looking very sour. "Go to hell." He muttered, and before the spirit could protest, the doors opened and a giant spear impaled the man through the chest, while a demonic jester like laugh exuded from the gate, pulling him back in as he screamed on the weapon, before it all disappeared. Like it never happened.
Giant Devil, who after seeing this, looked down silently praying for the sanctity of his own soul, wishing to not have to face the judgment and pain of hell, though he felt like it was a useless plight in the end, since he had offered his life to the Shinigami who just condemned his one-time friend.
Giant Devil approached next to the Shinigami "I am ready." His brown eyes closing in resignation, while he steeled himself for the end
"Forget it." The death god said uninterested in slaying the creature that willingly helped him despite being an enemy
"What?"
"I said forget it. I'm not killing you." He said again, knowing he was disobeying Soifon's orders but honestly didn't care
"Why?" the creature asked in wonder
Ichigo sighed "You've got family to return to back in your world according to Screamer, so go back to it." he turned to the still open rift "I'm guessing that asshole wanted to return home to lick his wounds, but since he doesn't need it anymore take it, and be thankful you get to keep your life."
"Thank-you, Shinigami-san."
"It's Ichigo. Ichigo Kurosaki." The orange haired soul reaper formally introduced
"I will remember that, Ichigo." The hollow said disappearing into the rift which started to close after him.
Once the gate was closed he contacted Hanataro to find out where he was, and learned he was back on the roof top HQ, so with a satisfied smile at the way things turned out, he calmly strolled on back.
(Roof)
Hanataro was busy preparing the Senkaimon gate with the Senkaimon creation device, having seen the urgent message the second division had sent to his soul pager that he absent-mindedly forgot about in his Gigai.
"I'm back Taro." Ichigo called walking through the roof top entrance
"Ichigo! Help me immediately! We just got an urgent message from Soifon Taicho herself!"
"An urgent message?" he questioned quickly, moving next to Hanataro to quicken the opening process of the Senkaimon "What was the message?"
"She didn't say except that she's cancelling our mission and order our immediate withdrawal from the field. She wrote she needed to see you immediately in her office." The frantic medic explained as the Senkaimon gate finally materialized.
Ichigo understood the seriousness of something Soifon did if she was willing to cancel his mission and order his immediate return. Something was wrong.
G.D: Another chapter has reached it's closing.
Blackout2010: Yes, Giant Devil yes it has.
Ichigo:...
Blackout2010: It seems that things will now officially come to start soon
Ichigo:...see you soon.
